Fluid pressure device

ABSTRACT

A fluid pressure device having a fluid unit suitable for use as a vacuum generating unit formed by connecting together a plurality of blocks having different functions, the fluid unit being connected to an external device. The fluid pressure device includes a plug-in/one-touch type electric signal connecting unit for collectively mounting a plurality of terminals in a wall surface of the fluid unit, to electrically connect the plurality of blocks to the external device. The terminals are connected to the external device by a single multi-connector means, and a plug-in/one-touch type fluid passage connecting unit, for collectively providing connecting portions within the wall surface of the fluid unit, to interconnect the external device and fluid passages defined in the fluid unit. The fluid passages are connected to the external device by a plurality of cylindrical insertion members which are inserted into the connecting portions.

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 08/193,060,filed on Mar. 8, 1994, now abandoned which was filed as PCT applicationPCT/JP92/01147 on Sep. 9, 1992.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a fluid pressure device wherein aplurality of blocks having different functions are combined into asingle unit.

BACKGROUND ART

A fluid pressure device such as a vacuum generating unit is constructedby connecting together a plurality of blocks having different functions,and which are provided respectively with peripheral devices such as afeed valve for supplying either vacuum or compressed air, a vacuum breakvalve, an attraction confirmation switch serving as a vacuum detectingmeans, a timer, a display, etc. Further, electrical mechanisms areelectrically connected to a control device such as a sequencer or thelike by signal conductors or wires, such as discrete lead wires or thelike, to thereby transfer control signals therebetween.

A vacuum generating unit according to the prior art is shown in FIG. 1.FIG. 1 shows a structure for connecting signal wires between a vacuumgenerating device 2 and a sequencer 4 which serves as an externaldevice, in which ejectors respectively having different vacuumattracting or sucking conditions are set as vacuum generating sources.The vacuum generating unit 6a is constructed by connecting peripheraldevices such as a compressed-air feed valve 12a, a vacuum break valve14a, an attraction confirmation switch 16a, etc. to a block 10a havingan ejector provided thereinside and a vacuum port 8a. The vacuumgenerating unit 6a, and other vacuum generating units formed in a mannersimilar to the vacuum generating unit 6a, are placed on a manifold 18 tothereby form the vacuum gene rating device 2. Compressed air is suppliedfrom an unillustrated compressed-air feed source to the vacuumgenerating units 6a through 6e through a compressed-air feed port 20, sothat negative pressures are generated by the ejectors respectively. Inthe vacuum generating units 6c through 6e, for example, negativepressures are supplied respectively from vacuum ports 8c through 8e tocorresponding suction pads 24c through 24e through vacuum tubes 22cthrough 22e. Thus, the suction pads 24c through 24e attract and feedworkpieces 26c through 26e.

The sequencer 4 has input keys 28 and a display unit 30 comprised of anLCD, both provided on an upper surface thereof. Further, the sequencer 4has signal terminals 32 respectively connected to objects to becontrolled

The peripheral devices of the vacuum generating units 6a through 6eprovided on the manifold 18 are separately connected to the signalterminals 32 of the sequencer 4 by a plurality of signal conductors orwires 34.

The vacuum generating device 2 is electrically connected to thesequencer 4 used as an external device by a plurality of signal wires 34as described above. The compressed-air feed port 20 and the vacuum ports8a through 8e are firmly connected to the peripheral devices throughvacuum tubes 22a through 22e, so as to withstand the pressure ofcompressed air and the negative pressure. Further, the compressed-airfeed port 20 and the vacuum ports 8a through 8e serve to keep the deviceairtight.

Thus, when it is desired to change the performance or functions of thevacuum generating device 2 according to a desired purpose at a job site,or to entirely replace one or more of the vacuum generating units 6athrough 6e due to a sudden malfunction or the like at the job site, itbecomes cumbersome to make such changes and much time is wasted.Particularly, an inconvenience is developed in that the procedure forreleasing and re-connecting the plurality of signal wires 34 and thevacuum tubes 22a through 22e is cumbersome and requires a lot of time,and mistakes such as a misconnection of signal wires, etc. can arise.

Further, when the units are rearranged or replaced, thepressurized-fluid passage which communicates with the entire vacuumgenerating device 2 is opened thereby discharging pressurized fluid tothe outside and drawing air into the passage. Therefore, the replacementor rearrangement work can only be performed after the process ofattracting and feeding of a workpiece by the vacuum generating device 2has been completely discontinued. Accordingly, work efficiency isgreatly reduced.

Moreover, when the units are recombined, dust or the like enters intothe vacuum generating device 2 due to the suction of air from the vacuumpassage, so that a reduction in performance occurs since theairtightness of the device is lowered after such recombining work hasbeen carried out.

On the other hand, the sequencer 4 manages or controls all of the signalwires 34 for the peripheral devices making up the vacuum generatingunits 6a through 6e, and internally controls the timing for each of theperipheral devices.

Thus, the number of the signal wires 34 electrically connected betweenthe peripheral devices of the vacuum generating units 6a through 6e andthe sequencer 4 greatly increases. Hence, it is cumbersome to providewiring for the signal wires 34, miswiring tends to occur. Further, theperipheral devices can experience malfunctions due to noise or the likegenerated between the signal wires 34. Such an inconvenience is alsocommon even with other vacuum units connected to the sequencer by aplurality of signal wires, as well as to the vacuum generating units.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fluidpressure device capable of easily carrying out, at a job site, eitherthe rearrangement of the fluid pressure device according to desiredfunctions and performance thereof, and to facilitate the replacement ofthe fluid pressure device when sudden malfunctions or accidents occur,without discontinuing the general operation of a working line using thefluid pressure device, and further avoiding a reduction in performanceof the fluid pressure device after either its rearrangement orreplacement has been performed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fluidpressure device wherein complicated wiring, occurrence of miswiring, andmalfunctions of the fluid pressure device due to noise can be avoided,by simplifying signal wires using an interface block and a serialtransmitting means, and wherein the structure of the fluid pressuredevice can be reduced in size and weight, so as to improve itsgeneral-purpose properties.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A plurality of blocks which form a fluid pressure unit have differentfunctions from each other, and are electrically connected to an externaldevice. A plurality of terminals are collectively provided within a wallsurface of the fluid pressure device, and are electrically connected tothe external device via a plug-in/one-touch system using a singlemulti-connector means. Therefore, the present invention can rapidly andeasily provide electrical connections and avoid the occurrence ofmiswiring.

Further, when the fluid pressure unit and the external device areinterconnected via fluid passages defined in the fluid pressure unit, aplug-in/one-touch fluid passage connecting means is used. Thisarrangement allows a plurality of cylindrical members to be insertedinto corresponding connecting portions of the fluid passage connectingmeans, which collectively are disposed in the wall surface of the fluidpressure unit. It is therefore possible to rapidly and easilyinterconnect the fluid passages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an attracting and feeding systemaccording to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of a fluidpressure device according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of a fluidpressure device according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view depicting an attracting and feeding systemin which the fluid pressure device according to the present invention isemployed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an attracting and feedingsystem in which the fluid pressure device having a controller, accordingto the present invention, is employed;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of afluid pressure device according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram illustrating an interface block employed inthe fluid pressure device according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of aterminal unit of the interface block shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view depicting one example of a system in whichthe fluid pressure device according to the present invention isincorporated;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating another example of a systemin which the fluid pressure device according to the present invention isincorporated; and

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment ofa fluid pressure device according to the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Fluid pressure devices according to the present invention willhereinafter be described in detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which preferred embodiments are shown by way of illustrativeexample. Incidentally, vacuum pressure devices are all described in thefollowing embodiments. However, the present invention is not necessarilylimited to a vacuum pressure device and can also be applied to othertypes of fluid pressure devices.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 50 indicates a vacuum unit made up of aplurality of blocks having respective portions which providepredetermined functions. The vacuum unit 50 basically comprises a valveblock 52, a pilot-operated electromagnetic valve block 54, a filterblock 56, an ejector block 58 and a sensor block 60.

The vacuum unit 50 has a first connecting portion 73 provided within asame wall surface thereof. The connecting portion 73 comprises acompressed-air feed port 64 corresponding to a hole for supplying orfeeding compressed air fed from an unillustrated compressed-air feedsource via a tube 62, a vacuum port 68 corresponding to a connectingportion for delivering a vacuum suction force produced by the ejectorblock 58 to an external member, such as a suction pad or the like,through a vacuum tube 66, and an exhaust or discharge port 72 fordischarging compressed air which has passed through the ejector block 58through a tube 70. The vacuum tube 66 and the tube 70 make up a secondconnecting portion 75 which is formed as a single unit. In this case,the connection between the second connecting portion 75 and the firstconnecting portion 73 is rapidly and easily performed by aplug-in/one-touch system. After completion of the connection, the secondconnecting portion 75 and the first connecting portion 73 are held byclaw-shaped members, or the like, provided on either side of the firstand second connecting portions.

Further, a compressed-air feed valve corresponding to a selector ordirectional control valve for supplying and cutting off compressed airto the ejector block 58, and a vacuum break valve for rapidly releasingthe vacuum port 68 from a state of vacuum, are disposed within the valveblock 52.

The pilot-operated electromagnetic valve block 54 comprisespilot-operated electromagnetic valves 55 and 57 mounted to an upperportion of the valve block 52, which are used respectively to actuatethe compressed-air feed valve and the vacuum break valve. A sensor block60 for detecting a state of pressure in an ejector is mounted to a sideportion of the valve block 52, with the ejector block 58 interposedtherebetween.

In order to suitably drive the sensor block 60, as well as thepilot-operated electromagnetic valves 55 and 57, electrical wiresextending from the respective blocks are provided inside the vacuum unit50, and are connected to an external device such as a sequencer 74 orthe like corresponding to a controlling means. Further, terminals forthe electrical wires are collectively disposed in the same wall surfaceof the vacuum unit 50 as a terminal unit 51. The terminal unit 51 israpidly and easily electrically-connected to the external device by asingle plug-in/one-touch multi-connector means 53.

Further, when it is desired to change the capability, performance and/orfunctions of the vacuum device comprised of a plurality of vacuum unitsaccording to a desired purpose at a job site, or when one attempts toreplace one or more of the vacuum units due to an unexpected trouble orthe like on-site, a pressurized fluid passage, which communicates withthe entirety of the vacuum device due to the separation of a vacuum unitfrom the vacuum device, is opened to cause pressurized fluid to flowoutside and to suck or draw outside air into the passage. It is thuspossible to avoid the complete stoppage of general operations on aworking line using the vacuum device. In order to avoid a reduction inoperating performance such as deterioration in airtightness, which canresult from the entry of dust or the like into the vacuum device due tothe suction of air through the passage, which is kept under vacuum afterthe unit replacing process has been completed, an unillustrated checkvalve is disposed at a position immediately before a position where thecompressed-air feed port 64, the vacuum port 68 and the discharge port72 are connected to one another.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention different from theabove embodiment. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 80 indicates a vacuumunit made up of a plurality of blocks. The vacuum unit 80 basicallycomprises a valve block 82, a pilot-operated electromagnetic valve block84, a filter block 86, an ejector block 88 and a sensor block 90,disposed in a manner similar to the vacuum unit 50 of the firstembodiment. The vacuum unit 80 is different from the vacuum unit 50,however, in that a connecting means is used which comprises a complexfemale-type connecting portion 94 formed integrally by a terminal unit91 of a first connecting portion 92, and wherein a compressed-air feedport 64, a vacuum port 68 and an exhaust or discharge port 72 of thefirst connecting portion 92 are disposed at a region along the same wallsurface, and are substantially adjacent to each other. The connectingmeans further comprises a complex male-type connecting portion 100formed integrally by a second connecting portion 96 comprising a tube62, a vacuum tube 66, a tube 70 and a multi-connector means 98, so thatthe electrical connections and the communication or connection betweenfluid passages can be performed simultaneously.

An attracting and feeding system 104, including a plurality of vacuumunits 50 as shown in FIG. 2 which are connected to each other side byside by a manifold 102, will next be described with reference to FIG. 4.

The attracting and feeding system 104 shown in FIG. 4 is constructed byvacuum units 50a through 50e which are mounted on the manifold 102,along with vacuum generating sources comprising ejectors havingdifferent vacuum attracting or sucking functions. Second connectingportions 75a through 75e are coupled to corresponding first connectingportions 73a through 73e respectively attached to the vacuum units 50athrough 50e.

The following first through third connections can easily be made at anytime due to the above structure: The first connection is a couplingbetween tubes 62a through 62e and their corresponding compressed-airfeed ports 64a through 64e, to feed or supply compressed air from anunillustrated compressed-air feed source via the tubes 62a through 62e.The second connection is a connection made between suction pads 106athrough 106e and their corresponding vacuum ports 68a through 68e viavacuum tubes 66a through 66e, to transfer vacuum suction forcesgenerated by the ejector blocks 58 to the corresponding suction pads106. Finally, the third connection is a connection made between exhaustor discharge ports 72a through 72e for discharging compressed air whichhas passed through the ejector blocks 58a through 58e via tubes 70athrough 70e and corresponding tubes 70a through 70e.

Electrical connections between the vacuum units 50a through 50e and acontrol means comprising a sequencer 74 are made by bus lines viaterminal units 51a through 51e, which are respectively comprised ofterminal portions having a plurality of terminals collectively providedin a same wall surface of the vacuum units 50a through 50e. Input keys108, and a display unit 109 comprised of an LCD, are provided on anupper surface of the sequencer 74.

Since the respective vacuum units 50a through 50e are substantiallyidentical in structure, the operations of the vacuum units will bedescribed below by reference to only use vacuum unit 50c, anddescriptions of the other vacuum units will therefore be omitted.Further, since the vacuum unit 50 shown in FIG. 2 and the vacuum unit50c shown in FIG. 4 are substantially identical in structure to eachother, the components of the vacuum unit 50 are indicated by smallalphabetical characters and such components will not be described indetail.

When a work 112c is fed by the sucking and feeding system 104, anoperation signal outputted from the sequencer 74 is first inputted to apilot-operated electromagnetic feed valve 55c to thereby sequentiallyoperate and thereby open a compressed-air feed valve provided inside thevalve block 52c. As a result, compressed air is supplied to the ejectorprovided inside the ejector block 58c to generate a vacuum or negativepressure which is supplied to the suction pad 106c through the vacuumport 68c. When the work 112c is attracted and held by the suction pad106c supplied with the vacuum, the vacuum in the vacuum unit is furtherraised. A pressure sensor disposed inside the sensor block 60c detectsthat the vacuum has exceeded a pressure which has been set in the sensorblock 60c in advance, and thus the sensor block 60c sends an attractionconfirmation signal to the sequencer 74.

When the attraction confirmation signal is received by the sequencer 74,and after an elapse of a fixed time interval set by a timer, thesequencer 74 confirms the completion of movement of the work 112c.Thereafter, the sequencer 74 transmits a stop signal to thecompressed-air feed valve through a same or similar path as used for thesupply of the operation signal, to thereby close the compressed-air feedvalve and stop the generation of the vacuum from the ejector.

Simultaneously, the sequencer 74 sends an operation signal to apilot-operated electromagnetic vacuum break valve 57c to thereby actuateand sequentially operate the pilot-operated electromagnetic valve 57c toopen the valve. Thus, compressed air is supplied to the suction pad 106cthrough the vacuum port 68c, to thereby release the work 112c from thesuction pad 106c.

Further, the sequencer 74 sends a stop signal to the pilot-operatedelectromagnetic valve 57c after a fixed time interval set by the timerprovided inside the sequencer 74 has elapsed, thereby closing the vacuumbreak valve so as to complete the attracting and feeding operation.

The following provisions are available in the event that deteriorationin performance, function or the like is developed in the vacuum unit50c, for example, due to a cause occurring during the above series ofattracting and feeding operations. Specifically, a check valve (notshown) is provided at a portion immediately before a portion where thecompressed-air feed port 64c, the vacuum port 68c and the discharge port72c are connected to one another. Accordingly, the passage forpressurized fluid, which communicates with the other units, is closed bythe check valve (not shown), even if the connection between the firstconnecting portion 73c and a second connecting portion 75c is releasedto replace the vacuum unit 50c. Thus, pressurized fluid is preventedfrom being discharged outside, and outside air is prevented from beingsucked or drawn into the passage. It is therefore possible to avoid acomplete stoppage of general operations on a working line by the othervacuum units 50a, 50b, 50d and 50e. Further, the entry of dust or thelike into the vacuum device, due to suction of outside air through thepassage, is likewise prevented. It is thus possible to prevent areduction in operating capability or performance, such as deteriorationin airtightness, after the unit replacing process has been completed.

FIG. 5 shows an attracting and feeding system 104 wherein a controller105 for generally controlling the attracting and feeding system 104 andfor converting a serial signal into a parallel signal, or vice versa, ismounted on a plurality of vacuum units 50a through 50e provided on amanifold 102, and in which ejectors respectively having different vacuumpressure conditions are used as vacuum sources.

The attracting and feeding system 104 includes multiconnector means 53athrough 53e coupled to corresponding terminal units 51a through 51e, andrespectively provided on the same wall surfaces as the vacuum units 50athrough 50e. Further, the vacuum units 50a through 50e are electricallyconnected to the controller 105 via signal wires 110a through 110e, suchas bus lines or the like, connected to the multi-connector means 53athrough 53e. Therefore, parallel signals can be transferred between thevacuum units 50a through 50e and the controller 55.

As an alternative to the use or individual wires, the transfer ofparallel signals may be performed using serial signals, a networkcommunicating means such as a LAN or the like, a wireless means usingmicrowaves, an optical communicating means, an optical fiber, etc.

Incidentally, a high-speed network protocol can be used as the protocolfor transferring the signals.

As the signal transmission-line connecting means between the vacuumunits 50a through 50e, a direct connector-to-connector coupling may beperformed without using individual wires. Alternatively, the vacuumunits 50a through 50e may be coupled by employing bus module blockshaving connectors different from those described above, or by using flatcables. More specifically, the connectors may be constructed similar tothe terminal unit 91 shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the connectors maybe formed on side surfaces, or upper surfaces, and the positions of theconnectors may be determined in a manner to facilitate connection withone another.

The parallel signals which are inputted to the controller 105 via aplurality of terminals are converted into a group of serial signals,which are in turn serially-transmitted to the sequencer 74 via a singlewire 113 for transmitting the serial signals from a single terminal 111.

A vacuum unit according to a third embodiment of the present inventionwill next be described below in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 150 indicates a vacuum unit according tothe third embodiment. The vacuum unit 150 substantially comprises avacuum generating unit 154 indicated by oblique lines, and an interfaceblock 152 for connecting the vacuum generating unit 154 to an externaldevice such as a sequencer 158 or the like.

The vacuum generating unit 154 basically comprises a body 156, apressure sensing section 159 for sensing a state of pressure of anejector 66 (to be described later) using a pressure sensor 167, and avalve section 160 comprised of an electromagnetic or solenoid-controlledcompressed air feed valve 162, and an electromagnetic orsolenoid-controlled vacuum break valve 164.

A compressed-air feed port 168 for supplying compressed air to theejector 166, which serves as a vacuum generating source, is defined in aside wall of the body 156 of the vacuum generating unit 154. Acompressed-air feed valve (check valve) 172 for supplying and cuttingoff the supply of compressed air, and a vacuum break valve 174 forreleasing a state of vacuum from a vacuum port 176 are provided in thecourse of a compressed-air feed passage 170, for causing thecompressed-air feed port 168 to communicate with the ejector 166. Thevacuum port 176, which communicates with the ejector 166, is defined ina same side wall as that used for the compressed-air feed port 168.Further, a filter 178 for removing dust, moisture or water, or the like,from the evacuated air is interposed between the vacuum port 176 and theejector 166. A compressed-air exhaust or discharge port 180 is alsoprovided for discharging compressed air from the ejector 166. A silencer182 for silencing an exhaust sound produced by the compressed air whenit is discharged from the ejector 166 is provided in the compressed-airdischarge port 180. Check valves 183a and 183b are provided to prevent apressurized fluid from being unnecessarily discharged into the vacuumport 176.

The interface block 152 will next be described below with reference toFIG. 7.

The interface block 152 is integrated into one system and connected toan external device such as a sequencer 158 or the like. The interfaceblock 152 comprises a serial signal input/output unit 200 for inputtingserial electric signals through a single terminal and outputting thesame therefrom, a serial/parallel signal converter (S/P) 202 forconverting the serial signals into corresponding parallel signals, acontroller (CPU) 204 which serves as an arithmetic or operating meansfor generally controlling the interface block 152, and a sensorinput/output unit 206 for inputting the parallel signals to a pressuresensor section 159. The interface block 152 also includes a firstelectromagnetic-valve input/output unit 208 for inputting parallelsignals to the electromagnetic compressed air feed valve 162 andoutputting the same therefrom, a second electromagnetic-valveinput/output unit 210 for inputting parallel signals to theelectromagnetic vacuum breakage valve 164 and outputting the sametherefrom, a display unit 184 disposed on an upper surface of theinterface block 152 for displaying pressure information or the likedetected by a pressure sensor section 159 thereon, and an input/outputunit 212 for inputting parallel signals to the display unit 184 andoutputting the same therefrom. The respective components referred toabove are electrically connected to one another by a bus line.

FIG. 8 shows an electrical connecting structure employed within theinterface block 152. More specifically, a substrate 193 is accommodatedin a space defined inside the structure. Pin-shaped members 197a through197d shaped in the form of groups, and which project from the substrate193, are exposed to the outside of the interface block 152 through holes189a through 189d. An opening defined in a lower surface of theinterface block 152 is closed by a cover 195. That is, the cover 195 hasclaws or stoppers 196a and 196b, which are in turn fitted intocorresponding holes 191a and 191b defined in both sides of the interfaceblock 152.

As understood from the drawing, the pin-shaped members 197a through 197dare implanted into a circuit pattern formed on the substrate 193. In thedrawing, reference numerals 199a through 199d indicate guiding rods.

When it is desired to attach the substrate 193 to the interface block152, the substrate 193 is first placed in a predetermined position andset on the cover 195 by the guiding rods 199a through 199d. The guidingrods 199a through 199d are then positioned by unillustrated guide holesand incorporated into the interface block 152.

The electrical connections between the interface block 152 and thevacuum generating unit 154 are respectively made by connectors 186athrough 186c made up of conductive elastic members or bodies (see FIGS.6 and 7). More specifically, the electrical connections consist of anelectrical connection between the pressure sensor section 159 and thesensor input/output unit 206, an electrical connection between theelectromagnetic valve 162 and the first electromagnetic-valveinput/output unit 208, and an electrical connection between theelectromagnetic valve 164 and the second electromagnetic-valveinput/output unit 210.

An attracting and feeding system 222, comprising a plurality of vacuumunits 150 each of the type shown in FIG. 6 which are connected side byside to one another by a manifold 220, will next be shown as anillustrative example, and the operations of the attracting and feedingsystem 222 will be described below with reference to FIG. 9.

In the attracting and feeding system 222 shown in FIG. 9, a plurality ofvacuum units 150a through 150e in which ejectors having different vacuumconditions are used as vacuum sources, are placed on the manifold 220.Compressed-air feed ports 168a through 168e attached to correspondingvacuum units 150a through 150e are coupled respectively to unillustratedcompressed-air feed sources by tubes 224a through 224e. Further, vacuumports 176c through 176e are connected to suction pads 228c through 228eby tubes 226c through 226e respectively.

Terminals 188 are disposed on upper surfaces of interface blocks 152,and signal terminals 157a used for the objects to be controlled areattached to a side surface of a sequencer 158. The terminals 188 and157a are respectively connected to one another by individual signalwires 165a through 165e for allowing serial transmission therebetween.Input keys 161 and a display unit 163 comprised of an LCD are disposedon an upper surface of the sequencer 158.

FIG. 10 illustrates an attracting and feeding system 222 comprising aplurality of vacuum units 150a through 150e, in which ejectorsrespectively having different vacuum sucking conditions are used asvacuum sources, and a controller 151 for generally controlling theattracting and feeding system 222. The vacuum units 150a -150e and thecontroller 151 are placed on a manifold 220. Terminals 188a through 188edisposed on upper surfaces of interface blocks 152 are electricallyconnected to the controller 151 by individual signal wires 165a through165e for providing serial transmission. Further, the controller 151 iselectrically connected to the signal terminal 173 of a sequencer 158 byan individual signal wire 171 for providing serial transmission.

When the interface blocks 152a through 152e are not used as components,the controller 151 and the terminals of the vacuum units 150a through150e may also be directly-connected to one another by a plurality oflead wires or bus lines, for example. At this time, signal transferbetween the controller 151 and the vacuum units 150a through 150e isperformed by parallel signals.

The respective vacuum units 150a through 150e are substantiallyidentical in structure to each other in the following description, andaccordingly operations of the vacuum units will be described below byreference only to the vacuum unit 50c, and descriptions of the othervacuum units will therefore be omitted. Further, the vacuum unit 150shown in FIG. 6 and the vacuum unit 150c shown in FIG. 8 aresubstantially identical in structure to each other. Thus, smallalphabetical letters are affixed to reference numerals indicating thecomponents of the vacuum unit 150, and such components will not bedescribed in detail.

When a work 230c is fed by the attracting and feeding system 222, serialsignals outputted from the sequencer 158 are first inputted to a serialsignal input/output unit 200c of the interface block 152c, and suchsignals are then converted into corresponding parallel signals by aserial/parallel signal converter (S/P) 202c. A corresponding parallelsignal is inputted to a first electromagnetic-valve input/output unit208c, which in turn sends an operation signal to an electromagneticcompressed air feed valve 162c, to thereby actuate the valve 162c andsequentially open a compressed-air feed valve 172c. As a result,compressed air is fed to an ejector 166c provided inside a body 156c ofthe vacuum generating unit to generate a vacuum or negative pressure,which is in turn supplied to a suction pad 228c through a vacuum port176c. When the suction pad 228c supplied with the vacuum attracts thework 230c, the vacuum in a vacuum generating unit 154c is furtherraised. When the vacuum exceeds a pressure which has been preset in apressure sensor section 159c, the pressure sensor section 159c sends aparallel signal to a sensor input/output unit 206c in the interfaceblock 152c. Further, the parallel signal is converted into a serialsignal by the serial/parallel signal converter (S/P) 202c. Thereafter,an attraction confirmation signal is sent to the sequencer 158 from theinterface block 152c.

When the attraction confirmation signal is received by the sequencer158, and after the elapse of a fixed time interval set by a timer, thesequencer 158 confirms the completion of movement of the work 230c.Thereafter, the sequencer 158 transmits a stop signal to thecompressed-air feed valve 172c through a same or similar path as usedfor the supply of the operation signal, to thereby close thecompressed-air feed valve 172c and stop the generation of the vacuumfrom the ejector 166c.

Simultaneously, a corresponding parallel signal, which results from theserial signals sent from the sequencer 158, is inputted to a secondelectromagnetic-valve input/output unit 210c, which in turn sends anoperation signal to an electromagnetic vacuum break valve 164c, tothereby actuate the electromagnetic valve 164c and sequentially open avacuum break valve 174c. Thus, compressed air is supplied to the suctionpad 228c through the vacuum port 176c of the vacuum generating unit154c, to thereby release the work 130c from the suction pad 228c.

Further, the sequencer 158 sends a stop signal to the electromagneticvalve 164c after a fixed time interval set by the timer provided insidethe sequencer 158 has elapsed, thereby closing the electromagnetic valve164c so as to complete the attracting and feeding operation.

FIG. 11 shows a fourth embodiment.

In FIG. 11, reference numeral 240 indicates a vacuum unit according to afourth embodiment. The vacuum unit 240 basically comprises a vacuumgenerating unit 242 and an interface block 244.

The vacuum generating unit 242 is slightly different in structure fromthe vacuum generating unit 154 of the vacuum unit 150 according to thethird embodiment. However, the interface block 244 has the same basicstructure and functions as those of the interface block 152 employed inthe third embodiment shown in FIG. 7.

The difference between the interface block 244 and the interface block152 employed in the third embodiment is as follows. In the case of theinterface block 152 employed in the third embodiment, the connectionbetween the interface block 152 and the vacuum generating unit 154 ismade by connectors alone. Further, other wires necessary for theconnection are provided within the interface block 152. By contrast, inthe case of the interface block 244, conductors 246 and 248 areexternally wired. Thus, the interface block 244 makes it possible tomore easily cope with troubles such as disconnections, etc.

In the fluid pressure device according to the present invention, aplurality of terminals are intensively disposed in a wall surface of thefluid pressure device for electrically connecting the fluid pressuredevice with an external device. The terminals and the external deviceare electrically connected to each other by a plug-in/one-touch systemusing a single multi-connector means. Further, when the external deviceand fluid passages thereof are interconnected, a fluid-passageconnecting portion including a plug-in/one-touch system is also used.Thus, the rearrangement, or recombination, of each fluid unit based ondesired functions and performance capabilities of the fluid pressuredevice, or the replacement of a fluid pressure device with another tocope with sudden troubles, can be rapidly and easily performed at a jobsite. In addition, a reduction in performance of the replaced fluidpressure device can be avoided.

According to the present invention as well, electrical wires which areelectrically connected to an external device are united into a singlesystem based on serial transmission, and are connected to the externaldevice through a single terminal. Therefore, the configuration of signalwires can be greatly simplified, and the complexity of wiring work andthe occurrence of miswiring can be avoided.

Further, a reduction in the number of signal wires makes it possible toavoid malfunctions caused by noise which can occur when a plurality ofsignal wires are used. Moreover, since the fluid pressure device isreduced in size and weight, various general-purpose properties of thedevice can be greatly enhanced.

We claim:
 1. A fluid passage connecting device comprising:(a) a firstfluid unit comprising a plurality of block shaped components connectedtogether wherein each of said plurality of block shaped components ofsaid first fluid unit performs a different function, said first fluidunit electrically connected to one external device and fluidicallyconnected to another external device, said first fluid unit furthercomprising:(i) a first wall surface; (ii) a first plug-in electricalconnecting means comprising a plurality of terminals mounted at onelocation on said first wall surface; (iii) a first plurality of fluidpassages; (iv) a first plug-in fluid passage connecting means comprisinga plurality of fluid ports disposed at another location on said firstwall surface spaced from said one location; (b) a first electricalconnection member having a plurality of connectors mating with saidfirst plug-in electrical connecting means at said one location of saidfirst wall surface; (c) a first unitary connecting block having a firstplurality of fluid conduits mounted therein, said first plurality offluid conduits inserted into said plurality of fluid ports of said firstplug-in fluid passage connecting means at said another location of saidfirst wall surface for connecting said first plurality of fluid conduitswith said first plurality of fluid passages of said first fluid unit;(d) a second fluid unit comprising a plurality of block shapedcomponents connected together, wherein each of said plurality of blockshaped components of said second fluid unit performs a differentfunction, said second fluid unit electrically connected to said oneexternal device and fluidically connected to said another externaldevice, said second fluid unit further comprising:(i) a second wallsurface; (ii) a second plug-in electrical connecting means comprising aplurality of terminals mounted at one location on said second wallsurface; (iii) a second plurality of fluid passages; (iv) a secondplug-in fluid passage connecting means comprising a plurality of fluidports disposed at another location on said second wall surface spacedfrom said one location of said second wall surface; (e) a secondelectrical connection member having a plurality of connectors matingwith said second plug-in electrical connecting means at said onelocation of said second wall surface; (f) a second unitary connectingblock having a second plurality of fluid conduits mounted therein, saidsecond plurality of fluid conduits inserted into said second plug-influid passage connecting means at said another location of said secondwall surface for connecting said second plurality of fluid conduits withsaid second plurality of fluid passages of said second fluid unit; and(g) a manifold; wherein: (h) said first and second fluid units aremounted on said manifold and said first and second fluid units aredisposed adjacent to each other, and further wherein said first unitaryconnecting block can be disconnected from said first plug-in fluidpassage connecting means while allowing said second unitary connectingblock to remain connected to said second plug-in fluid passageconnecting means.
 2. A fluid pressure device as claimed in claim 19,further comprising first and second check valves for allowing fluid toflow in a first direction and preventing fluid from flowing in a seconddirection opposite to said first direction, said first and second checkvalves, respectively disposed in said first plurality of fluid passagesand said second plurality of fluid passages in close proximity to atleast one of said fluid ports of each of said first and second fluidunits.
 3. A fluid pressure device as claimed in claim 19, wherein saidfirst and second plug-in electrical connecting means and said first andsecond plug-in fluid passage connecting means are respectively providedwithin adjacent regions substantially in a same plane on each of saidfirst and second wall surfaces of said first and second fluid units; andwherein said first and second electrical connection members and saidfirst and second pluralities of fluid conduits are each respectivelymounted on said first and second unitary connecting blocks in a spacedrelationship corresponding to said adjacent regions on each of saidfirst and second wall surfaces.
 4. A fluid pressure device as claimed inclaim 3, further comprising first and second check valves for allowingfluid to flow in a first direction and preventing fluid from flowing ina second direction opposite to said first direction, said first andsecond check valves, respectively, disposed in said first plurality offluid passages and said second plurality of fluid passages in closeproximity to at least one of said fluid ports of each of said first andsecond fluid units.
 5. A fluid pressure device as claimed in claim 1,further comprising a controller electrically connected to each of saidfirst and second electrical connection members and said one externaldevice, wherein said controller transmits a parallel signal to each ofsaid first and second fluid units and transmits a serial signal to saidone external device.
 6. A fluid pressure device according to claim 1,wherein said plurality fluid ports of each of said first and secondfluid units comprise a fluid feed port, an exhaust port and a vacuumport.
 7. A fluid pressure device comprising:(a) a first fluid unitcomprising a plurality of interconnected block components, wherein eachof said plurality of block components of said first fluid unit performsa different function, said first fluid unit further comprising:(i) afirst wall surface; (ii) a first electrical terminal disposed at alocation on said first wall surface; (iii) a first plurality of fluidports disposed on said first wall surface and spaced from said locationon said first wall surface; (b) a first electrical connector mating withsaid first electrical terminal; (c) a first fluid connecting blockhaving a plurality of fluid connectors mating with said first pluralityof fluid ports; (d) a second fluid unit comprising a plurality ofinterconnected block components, wherein each of said plurality of blockcomponents of said second fluid unit performs a different function, saidsecond fluid unit further comprising:(i) a second wall surface; (ii) asecond electrical terminal disposed at a location on said second wallsurface; (iii) a second plurality of fluid ports disposed on said secondwall surface and spaced from said location on said second wall surface;(e) a second electrical connector mating with said second electricalterminal; (f) a second fluid connecting block having a plurality offluid connectors mating with said second plurality of fluid ports; and(g) a manifold; wherein: (h) said first and second fluid units aremounted on said manifold and said first and second fluid units aredisposed adjacent to each other, and further wherein said first fluidconnecting block can be disconnected from said first plurality of fluidports while allowing said second fluid connecting block to remainconnected to said second plurality of fluid ports.
 8. The fluid pressuredevice of claim 7, wherein each of said first and second electricalconnectors is respectively mounted upon said first and second fluidconnecting blocks.
 9. The fluid pressure device of claim 7, wherein eachof said first and second wall surfaces is planar.
 10. The fluid pressuredevice of claim 7, wherein said first plurality of fluid ports and saidsecond plurality of fluid ports each includes a fluid feed port, anexhaust port and a vacuum port.
 11. The fluid pressure device of claim10, wherein said exhaust port is disposed between said fluid feed portand said vacuum port on each of said first and second fluid units. 12.The fluid pressure device of claim 10, wherein said first plurality offluid ports and said second plurality of fluid ports are each aligned ina row.
 13. The fluid pressure device of claim 7 wherein said firstplurality of fluid ports and said first electrical terminal are alignedin a row on said first wall surface, and said second plurality of fluidports and said second electrical terminal are aligned in a row on saidsecond wall surface.
 14. The fluid pressure of claim 13, wherein saidfirst electrical connector is mounted upon said first fluid connectingblock, and said second electrical connector is mounted upon said secondfluid connecting block.
 15. The fluid pressure device of claim 14,wherein said first plurality of fluid ports and said second plurality offluid ports each includes a fluid feed port, a fluid exhaust port and avacuum port.